PERSONAL DATA: Born January 17, 1943, in Watertown, Wisconsin. Married to the former Jane A. Wade of Balsam Lake, Wisconsin. They have one daughter. Recreational interests include skiing, sailing, basketball, softball, golf, and woodworking. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Brandenstein, are residents of Watertown, Wisconsin. Her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Albert Wade, reside in Balsam Lake, Wisconsin.
EDUCATION: Graduated from Watertown High School, Watertown, Wisconsin, in 1961; received a bachelor of science degree in mathematics and physics from the University of Wisconsin (River Falls) in 1965.
ORGANIZATIONS: Associate Fellow, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA). Member, Society of Experimental Test Pilots (SETP), Association of Space Explorers, United States, Naval Institute, and Association of Naval Aviation.
SPECIAL HONORS: Awarded 2 Defense Superior Service Medals the Legion of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, 17 Air Medals, 2 Navy Commendation Medals with Combat V, Meritorious Unit Commendation, 2 NASA Distinguished Service Medals, 2 NASA Outstanding Leadership Medals, 4 NASA Space Flight Medals, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Legion of Honor (France), Medal of King Abdul Aziz (Saudi Arabia), Republic of Vietnam Air Gallantry Cross with Silver Star, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation, and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. Distinguished Alumnus, University of Wisconsin, River Falls. Honorary Doctor of Engineering, Milwaukee School of Engineering, Honorary Doctor of Science, University of Wisconsin - River Falls. Recipient of the SETP Iven C. Kincheloe Award, the AIAA Haley Space Flight Award, the Federation Aeronautique International Yuri Gagarin Gold Medal and American Astronautical Society Flight Achievement Award.
EXPERIENCE: Brandenstein entered active duty with the Navy in September 1965 and was attached to the Naval Air Training Command for flight training. He was designated a naval aviator at Naval Air Station, Beeville, Texas, in May 1967, and then proceeded to VA-128 for A-6 fleet replacement training. From 1968 to 1970, while attached to VA-196 flying A-6 Intruders, he participated in two combat deployments on board the USS Constellation and the USS Ranger to Southeast Asia and flew 192 combat missions. In subsequent assignments, he was attached to VX-5 for the conduct of operational tests of A-6 weapons systems and tactics; and to the Naval Air Test Center where, upon graduation from the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School, Patuxent River, Maryland, he conducted tests of electronic warfare systems in various Navy aircraft. Brandenstein made a nine- month deployment to the Western Pacific and Indian Ocean on board the USS Ranger while attached to VA-145 flying A-6 Intruders during the period March 1975 to September 1977. Prior to reporting to Houston as an astronaut candidate, he was attached to VA-128 as an A-6 flight instructor. He has logged 6,400 hours flying time in 24 different types of aircraft and has 400 carrier landings.
